http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.svdp.org.nz en-us Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:20:39 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/160135/new-circular-letter-to-svdp-members--31-january-2026/ On the 31 January 2026, the International President General of the Society of St Vincent de Paul  published the 2026 Circular Letter, addressed to all members, collaborators, staff, and volunteers of our global Vincentian family.The Circular Letter is a long-standing tradition within the International Confederation of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (CGI/SSVP), serving as the President General’s yearly message of reflection, encouragement, and guidance for ... Mon, 09 Feb 2026 22:04:11 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post160135 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/158031/spiritual-reflection--april-2026/ WHEN SILENCE ONLY WORSENS“While encouraging the development of a better world, we cannot remain silent about the scandal of poverty in its various forms. Violence, exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, restrictive approaches to fundamental freedoms, whether of individuals or of groups: these are some of the chief elements of poverty which need to be overcome. Often these are precisely the elements which mark migratory movements, thus linking migration to poverty” (Pope Francis,... Sat, 13 Dec 2025 15:44:27 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post158031 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/158030/spiritual-reflection--march-2026/ FROM ANOTHER ANGLE“The times talk to us of so much poverty in the world and this is a scandal. Poverty in the world is a scandal. In a world where there is so much wealth, so many resources to feed everyone, it is unfathomable that there are so many hungry children, that there are so many children without an education, so many poor persons. Poverty today is a cry.” (Pope Francis, with Students of Jesuit Schools).When Francis says that poverty is a scandal who exactly is scandalized? Has... Sat, 13 Dec 2025 15:42:37 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post158030 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/158029/spiritual-reflection--february-2026/ THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAMA way has to be found to enable everyone to benefit from the fruits of the earth, and not simply to close the gap between the affluent and those who must be satisfied with the crumbs falling from the table, but above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and respect for every human being.(Pope Francis, Address to the Food and Agricultural Organization, 6/20/13).After reading the above statement carefully a couple of times at least, just imagine you are the one entru... Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:14:34 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post158029 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/158028/spiritual-reflection--january-2026/ WHAT IS INJUSTICE?Listen to this, you who trample on the needyand try to suppress the poor of the country.You who say, ‘When will New Moon be over so that we can sell our corn,and Sabbath, so that we can market our wheat?Then by lowering the bushel, raising the shekel,by swindling and tampering with the scales,we can buy up the poor for money,and the needy for a pair of sandals,and get a price even for the sweepings of the wheat.’The Lord swears it by the pride of Jacob,“Never will I forge... Sat, 13 Dec 2025 14:08:45 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post158028 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/156234/you-are-my-hope-pope-leo-xivs-message-for-9th-world-day-of-the-poor/ As the Church prepares to mark the Ninth World Day of the Poor on Sunday, 16 November 2025, Pope Leo XIV issues a message centred on the theme: “You are my hope”, and expresses his hope that this Jubilee Year may encourage the development of policies aimed at combatting forms of poverty both old and new.By Linda BordoniDrawing from the Psalms and the lived experience of those suffering poverty, Pope Leo XIV urges Christians to recognise the poor not as objects of charity but as protagonists ... Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:15:55 +1300 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post156234 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/152444/spiritual-reflection--december-2025/ CHRISTMAS IS PREFERRING THE SILENT VOICE OF GODYour all-powerful word leaped from heaven,from the royal throne,into the midst of the land that was doomed,a stern warrior leapt (Wis 18:14).I am writing this month’s message from the hallowed grounds of Southern Star Abbey, the home of Cistercian monks on Kopua Rd, about 25km’s north of Dannevirke. The Monastery sits well back from the road on vast green farmland. Hospitality is offered to all visitors who would like to stay a few days in order... Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:05:23 +1200 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post152444 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/152443/spiritual-reflection--november-2025/ DON’T FORGET THE POORWhen the late Jorge Bergolio was elected pope in 2013, a Brazilian Cardinal whispered in his ear “don’t forget the poor”. That story has become well known and if it were engraved into the psyche of each follower of Christ, who knows what might emerge.In the lifetimes of all living today, I doubt if Catholics in general have ever been so conscious of our responsibility to the poor than during the reign of Pope Francis. This came about  through the choice of ... Wed, 17 Sep 2025 21:00:13 +1200 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post152443 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/152007/spiritual-reflection--october-2025/ BEHIND WHAT IS SEEN"No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles. While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice... Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:00:17 +1200 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post152007 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/post/150992/spiritual-reflection--september-2025/ GOD-GIVEN WORKLast Saturday I was privileged to be present at the ‘refounding meeting’ in Wellington, initiated by your current President, Gerry Stevens. Observing the vitality, the enthusiasm and the unity of those present was worth witnessing. It was particularly inspiring when a younger member from Auckland spoke.You will all know that there is concern re declining numbers, aging members as well as other difficulties in our conferences throughout New Zealand. It is not unusual for institu... Sat, 23 Aug 2025 17:33:25 +1200 http://www.svdp.org.nz/blog/#post150992